On Monday, Pasquotank Magistrate Gary
Littleton refused to marry William Locklear and Randall Jackson.
Locklear said Littleton told him that he could not perform the
wedding due to his religious beliefs. The couple were married the
following day by a different magistrate.

In a memo issued Wednesday, North
Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts general counsel Pamela
Weaver directed magistrates to perform civil marriages regardless of
sexual orientation or face suspension or dismissal from their jobs.

ABC
affiliate WLOS reported that Gilbert Breedlove, one of three
Swain County magistrates, would resign rather than follow the
directive. Breedlove cited his religious beliefs in explaining his
decision.